Cousins charged in heroin overdose death

Mar. 29, 2013

Written by

Gannett Wisconsin Media

Two cousins have been charged in connection to an Oshkosh woman’s heroin overdose death.

James T. Merritt, of Oshkosh, and Raymond J. Merritt, of Milwaukee, both 23, were charged Thursday in Winnebago County Circuit Court with first-degree reckless homicide. If convicted, the two men each face 40 years in prison and $100,000 in fines.

The men are accused of selling the heroin that contributed to Leslie Hazelwood’s death.

Hazelwood, 22, was taken to Aurora Medical Center Feb. 15 after she went into cardiac arrest at a residence in the 4100 block of County Trunk A in the town of Oshkosh. She died Feb. 17.

An autopsy determined Hazelwood died due to anoxic brain injury due to caridorespiratory arrest caused by heroin toxicity.

According to the criminal complaint, Kevin Bryant, 20, told authorities he was with his girlfriend, Leslie Hazelwood, on Feb. 14 when her brother Christopher Hazelwood picked them up. Before they were picked up, Bryant said he contacted Raymond Merritt and arranged to meet him at Oshkosh Marcus Cinema to purchase a bindle of heroin.

After arriving at the parking lot, Bryant got into the backseat of Raymond Merritt’s vehicle and handed $30 to Raymond Merritt, who was seated in the front passenger seat. Raymond Merritt’s cousin James Merritt then handed unpackaged heroin to Bryant, who then wrapped it in cellophane and returned to Christopher Hazelwood’s vehicle.

Bryant said he then handed the heroin to Leslie Hazelwood, but told her not to inject the heroin in the car.

Bryant told authorities he had previously purchased heroin from Raymond Merritt and had seen James Merritt with a large bag of heroin that was very dark in color.

Bryant identified both men in a photo line up.

Oshkosh Police arrested both men during a controlled buy on Feb. 15. There was heroin and a large amount of cash near both men at the time of their arrest.

When paramedics responded to the cardiac arrest call on Feb. 15, staff at Aurora Medical Center found a used syringe and spoon in Leslie Hazelwood’s front pocket. Another syringe, a lighter and small tin foil container were found at the apartment on County Trunk A.

Bryant is also facing criminal charges. He was charged Thursday with manufacture/delivery of cocaine, which carries a maximum penalty of 12 years, six months in prison and $25,000 in fines. Bryant, who is being held at the Winnebago County Jail on a $15,000 cash bond, is due back in court April 8 for a preliminary hearing.

James Merritt is being held at the Winnebago County Jail on a $150,000 cash bond. He is due back in court April 8 for a preliminary hearing. The initial appearance for Raymond Merritt was adjourned until April 1 after he requested to be represented by an attorney.